Beyer record-setting running back Green named Modesto Metro MVP

The Modesto Metro Conference might not be built for the postseason – yet – but for six weeks the seven city schools kept a captive audience.

The race for the MMC crown was exciting until the end largely because a record-setting running back and his band of Patriots crashed the coronation party.

Beyer reeled off five consecutive wins, knocking off front-runner Modesto in the final weeks to create a three-way share of the league title with the Panthers and four-time champion Downey.

Fittingly, all three coaches – Doug Severe of Beyer, Donnie Wallace of Modesto and Jeremy Plaa of Downey – shared the Coach of the Year award, as voted upon by the coaches at the season-ending meeting.

Beyer running back Jay Green was named the conference MVP after rushing for 1,598 yards and 14 touchdowns, eclipsing his program mark for yards in a season. He also set a school record for career rushing yards with 4,242, surpassing the mark of 3,104 set by Brandon Boots in 2002.

Green had some company on the all-MMC honor roll. Beyer senior Javon Pope was named the Outstanding Offensive Lineman in his first season at center. The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Pope slid over from left tackle to anchor a mix-and-match line that also featured two converted tight ends.

The Knights rallied around a star of their own: do-it-all senior Tyran Daniels, who carried the ball, returned kicks and patrolled the secondary.

Daniels was the most decorated athlete at the season-ending coaches meeting. He was earned the Outstanding Defensive Player and Special Teams Player of the Year awards and was named to the first team as a running back and defensive back.

He rushed for 808 yards and 14 touchdowns and had 96 tackles and a team-high five interceptions. His talent is wrapped around his track speed and has garnered the attention of major college recruiters.

Another MMC talent with the opportunity to play on Saturdays: Davis wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones, the Offensive Player of the Year.

Limu-Jones has received scholarship offers from Weber State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State. Fresno State, Washington State, UNLV and Portland State also have expressed interest in the 6-foot-5 senior. He had 58 catches for 744 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, he had 73 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions.

“Well deserved,” Davis coach Tim Garcia said of Limu-Jones’ major award. “He was double- or triple-teamed all year long. He is a very dynamic and explosive player. He’s come a long way and has improved in all areas on and off the field. Great kid.”

Modesto quarterback Max McCabe was named the Outstanding Offensive Back/Receiver. McCabe took the reins of the Panthers’ program from 2014 co-MVP Nate Phillips and led Modesto to a share of the league title for the second time in three seasons. The Panthers also overcame the sudden departure of coach Richie Alkire in July.

“He was our rush leader. He threw only two picks in league, and he ran the ball better than we thought we’d get,” Wallace said. “He made the right decisions and was a steady force on offense. We had some playmakers around him, but he was the guy by far.”

While McCabe steered the offense, linebacker Matt Henriques became the leader of the defensive unit. A three-year varsity starter, Henriques had a team-high 119 tackles and was named the Outstanding Defensive Back/Linebacker.

“It was great to fall into this position and have players like Max and Matt,” said Wallace, a first-year head football coach. “All year long, Matt was just steady. He was a coach on the field. He got guys in the right position and made things happen, and that was without a huge defensive line in front of him. This year, he had to work through blockers and he still got it done.”

Gregori senior Michael Osborne was named the Outstanding Defensive Lineman after racking up 81 tackles and 14.5 sacks. Osborne was selected to the Blue/Grey All-American Bowl before the start of the season and continued that momentum despite the Jaguars’ struggles.

Members of the all-MMC first-team offense were:

▪ Quarterback: Brett Neves, Downey.

▪ Running backs: Demetrius Vinson, Gregori; and Daniels, Downey.

▪ Wide receivers: Andrew Raspo, Downey; and Limu-Jones, Davis.

▪ Tight end: Josiah Coronado, Beyer.

▪ Athlete/utility: Kendall McNair, Modesto.

▪ Offensive linemen: Luke Orth, Modesto; Pope, Beyer; German Mendoza, Downey; Blake Evans, Gregori; and Jared Avery, Enochs.

▪ Kicker: Serafin Alberto, Modesto.

Members of the all-MMC first-team defense were:

▪ Defensive linemen: Osborne, Gregori; Joe Franco, Downey; Dylan Weltmer, Beyer; and Sak Nop, Modesto.

▪ Inside linebackers: Poaka Kekua, Downey; and Henriques, Modesto.

▪ Outside linebackers: DJ Jackson, Beyer; and Alex Velasquez, Downey.

▪ Defensive backs: Daniels, Downey; ZaynLargent, Modesto; Braxton Howze, Downey.

▪ Punter: McCabe, Modesto.

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Beyer record-setting running back Green named Modesto Metro MVP."